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Monday, June 17, 2019 · sitting No. 435
Liberals move time allocation on prison reform bill over Senate changes
The House spent the largest share of its time on a government motion to limit debate on Senate amendments to Bill C-83, which would amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. Liberal minister Ralph Goodale defended the time allocation as appropriate at an advanced stage of the legislation after extensive House and Senate review. Conservative MP Cathy McLeod and NDP MP Peter Julian criticized the move as a broken 2015 promise to respect Parliament and limit use of closure.
Question Period featured repeated exchanges on energy projects. Conservative MP Candice Bergen accused the government of failing to build the Trans Mountain expansion, while Natural Resources minister Amarjeet Sohi pointed to completed consultations and other pipeline approvals. Separate exchanges on carbon pricing saw Conservative MPs Alain Rayes and others cite a Parliamentary Budget Officer report to argue the tax would need to rise sharply, with Liberal MP Sean Fraser replying that further measures would meet targets.
Decided that day
- National climate emergency motion passed
- Bill C-88 passed third reading
- Time allocation for Bill C-83 approved
- Closure motion passed
- Senate amendments to Bill C-68 partly resolved
From the Hansard record of the sitting. Full Hansard
No CPAC Question Period upload is on file for this day. CPAC’s channel goes back to December 2019.
Who held the floor · 2019-06-17
AI-rated The sitting score and the rating of each answer come from a language model reading Hansard. How the AI rates this
Other moments
Diabetes Awareness Month
Conservative MP Peter Kent said the government had rejected the diabetes 360° plan and left Motion No. 173 as an empty gesture, while Liberal MP Pam Damoff offered government support for the motion moved by the member for Brampton South.
Read the exchangeOil Tanker Moratorium Act
Liberal MP Terry Beech said Bill C-48 fulfilled a 2015 election promise and would protect British Columbia's north coast, while Conservative MP Kelly Block questioned the lack of consultation with first nations communities before introduction.
Read the exchangeHealth
NDP MP Karine Trudel called for extension of health care to dental and vision services with an opt-out for provinces, while Health minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor highlighted investments in mental health and home care.
Read the exchangeForeign Affairs
Conservative MP James Bezan asked whether the Prime Minister would defend Canada's claim to the Northwest Passage when meeting U.S. President Trump, while Liberal MP Robert Oliphant said the government had expressed its long-standing position at every opportunity.
Read the exchangeQuestion Period, exchange by exchange
AI-rated Each answer’s rating (answered, partly answered, deflected, answered something else) is a model’s reading of the exchange. How the AI rates this
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer lists other projects and consultations but avoids addressing whether TMX will be built or the accusation of not wanting pipelines.
We are moving forward on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project in the right way, with meaningful consultation that has been concluded with indigenous communities.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer shifts to criticizing past Conservative policy on markets instead of stating when construction on TMX will start.
When he left office in 2015, that was still the case 10 years later: 99% of oil was still being sold to the United States.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesCandice Bergen (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses Conservatives of voting against the process rather than confirming any timeline or intention for construction in Burnaby.
if the members of the official opposition were really serious about moving forward with the process on TMX in the right way, they would not have voted to shut down and kill that process.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer explains a past court decision and current consultations but does not give a start date for construction.
When the Federal Court of Appeal made its decision cancelling the TMX project, one of the reasons that project was stalled was that, when the review process was started in 2013, under Stephen Harper's government, Conservatives failed to include the impact of marine shipping on the marine environment.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMr. Gérard Deltell (Conservative) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). loaded question.The answer again blames Conservatives for past review flaws instead of addressing the request for a construction timeline.
If they were really committed to getting this project right, then they would not have voted down the process we put in place for a meaningful consultation with indigenous communities
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer criticizes both Conservatives and NDP rather than explaining why the project will or will not proceed despite economic concerns raised.
on the one hand, we have Conservatives who do not get the environment.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (NDP) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses indigenous engagement and coastal protection but does not address the economic viability concerns or confirm cancellation.
It is our responsibility to engage with all of them, to listen to their concerns and then offer accommodations where accommodation is possible.
- deflectedTaxationMr. Pierre-Luc Dusseault (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.The answer highlights middle-class tax cuts but does not address the wealth tax proposal or fairness for the ultra-rich.
We started by cutting taxes for the middle class.
- answeredTaxationMr. Peter Julian (NDP) asked Bill Morneau (Liberal). loaded question.Answer directly defends the tax policies and outcomes raised in the question.
It was the $45,000 to $90,000 tax bracket that we reduced by 7%.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer calls the question misleading and pivots to attacking the Conservatives instead of addressing the PBO figure.
the question that the hon. member put on the floor of the House of Commons is grossly misleading.
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer ignores the repeated question on fuel prices and attacks Conservative record while citing unrelated figures.
with respect, when it comes to affordability, we have no lessons to learn from the Conservatives
- misdirectedCarbon PricingMr. Alain Rayes (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer shifts to climate inaction costs and attacks Conservatives rather than addressing the carbon tax price claim.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer notes PBO assumptions and rebates but avoids stating the projected price increase.
the hon. member knows that it presumes no further action will be taken on climate change.
- partly answeredCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer states the planned price of $50 a tonne but pivots to criticizing the Conservative plan.
The price will increase to $50 a tonne by 2020.
- deflectedCarbon PricingPierre Poilievre (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.Answer emphasizes rebates and attacks Conservatives without addressing the maximum price question.
A typical family of four, in the hon. member's own constituency, would have received $307 off their taxes this year.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Karine Trudel (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.Answer mentions health investments but does not address dental or vision coverage specifically.
We have invested more than $11 million in mental health care and home care.
- deflectedHealthMr. Daniel Blaikie (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer discusses home care and mental health investments instead of addressing pharmacare or dental/eye care commitments.
I am proud to be part of a government that has made historic investments in the areas of mental care and home care.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The response defends the bill, criticizes the prior government, and offers a sarcastic tutor session rather than addressing the question about responses to concerns.
If the hon. member would like a tutor session with me, I would be happy to walk him through it afterwards.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMr. Mark Strahl (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates support for the bill and consultation process without addressing the question about ignoring provincial and Indigenous concerns.
We are moving forward with an agenda that is going to strengthen environmental protection.
- misdirectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Terry Beech (Liberal). substantive question.The response defends Bill C-48 and notes past voting records instead of addressing the request to kill the bills or approve Trans Mountain.
It is important for Canadians to understand that when it comes to Bill C-48 , every single party in the House was in favour of it.
- deflectedNatural ResourcesMrs. Shannon Stubbs (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). substantive question.The answer praises the mining sector's support and restates benefits of the bill without addressing the call to kill it or provincial opposition.
It supports the process that is outlined in Bill C-69 , because it understands that we are putting forward better rules than were put forward under the previous government.
- partly answeredNational DefenceMs. Rachel Blaney (NDP) asked Harjit S. Sajjan (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the individual's service and directs officials to review the case but does not commit to broader civilian support changes.
I have directed officials to look into this case and find a solution.
- partly answeredHealthMs. Jenny Kwan (NDP) asked Ginette Petitpas Taylor (Liberal). substantive question.The answer affirms support for abortion rights and mentions expanding access to one medication but does not address enforcing the Canada Health Act for hospital and clinic coverage.
That is why we stood up for reproductive health options in all parts of Canada, including expanding access to Mifegymiso in different parts of the country
- partly answeredForestry IndustryMrs. Cathy McLeod (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states opposition to tariffs and commitment to the forestry industry but does not commit to raising softwood lumber in the upcoming meeting with the U.S. President.
Our government will take every opportunity to vigorously defend our forestry industry and its workers against protectionist trade measures.
- deflectedImmigration, Refugees and CitizenshipMr. Pierre Paul-Hus (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The answer restates general border policies and past reductions without addressing the specific question about raising the issue at the upcoming Trump meeting.
We have achieved an extraordinary reduction in the number of people who have been crossing our borders irregularly as a direct result of our work with the United States and our other partners right across Canada and around the world.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMr. James Bezan (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The answer affirms Arctic sovereignty in general terms and criticizes photo ops but sidesteps the question about the Prime Minister's planned actions with Trump.
It is more than photo ops. It is more than taking a picture and going to the Arctic once a summer.
- deflectedForeign AffairsMs. Leona Alleslev (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The answer emphasizes quiet diplomacy and lists international partners but avoids any commitment or plan regarding the upcoming Trump meeting.
This is not about political grandstanding. It is not about rhetoric. It is about doing the work patiently and persistently and continuing to not try to score political points but to bring Canadians home safely.
- deflectedThe EnvironmentMr. Pierre Nantel (NDP) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer attacks the NDP motion's details rather than addressing the call to revise targets or end oil subsidies.
One of the problems with the NDP's climate motion is that it called for the immediate end to all subsidies no matter what, which included subsidies that provided electricity to northern, remote indigenous communities.
- misdirectedInternational TradeMs. Tracey Ramsey (NDP) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). loaded question.The answer turns to attacking the questioner for not supporting local workers instead of addressing the limited witness list or rushed debate.
Why will the member not support the workers of her own riding instead of trying to score some political points?
- deflectedThe EnvironmentEd Fast (Conservative) asked Mr. Sean Fraser (Liberal). loaded question.The answer asserts targets will be met and criticizes the PBO assumptions but does not address whether the carbon tax will rise beyond $50.
With respect to the PBO report, I have pointed out a number of times on the floor today that it assumes that no further steps will be taken on climate change.
- partly answeredCanada Summer Jobs ProgramSteven Blaney (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The answer confirms a review is underway and states funds will not flow if non-compliant but does not address why the funding was approved initially.
ESDC is conducting a review of this matter through Service Canada Ontario.
- deflectedCanada Summer Jobs ProgramMichelle Rempel (Conservative) asked Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Liberal). loaded question.The answer accuses Conservatives of misleading Canadians and lists unrelated funded groups instead of addressing the specific organization under review.
Even in their leader's riding, the Raymore Baptist Church, Avonhurst Pentecostal Assembly and Echo Lake Bible Camp have received funding, if Conservatives check their list.
- deflectedEthicsPeter Kent (Conservative) asked Bill Blair (Liberal). loaded question.The answer refuses to address the specific allegation against the MP and pivots to general government efforts.
I am not going to comment on any unproven allegation at this point, but what I will say is that our government has been working very diligently to address all of the sector vulnerabilities, including working with law societies from across Canada to address the concerns that are being addressed.
- partly answeredNatural ResourcesMs. Niki Ashton (NDP) asked Amarjeet Sohi (Liberal). substantive question.The answer acknowledges the concern and promises follow-up but provides no concrete actions or details.
I will absolutely follow up with the hon. member to ensure that we are listening to her concerns, as well as the concerns of the community.
- answeredForeign AffairsMr. Tom Kmiec (Conservative) asked Mr. Robert Oliphant (Liberal). substantive question.The answer directly outlines the government's statements, meetings, and ongoing advocacy on the extradition law and Hong Kong.
We have expressed serious concerns about the proposed amendments to Hong Kong's extradition laws.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer states opposition to the bill on Charter grounds but does not address whether the government will challenge it in court.
This new law violates fundamental rights and individual freedoms.
- deflectedIntergovernmental RelationsMrs. Marilène Gill (Bloc) asked David Lametti (Liberal). substantive question.The answer reiterates Charter defense and general principles without committing on court challenges or respecting the Quebec law.
We as a government have always defended the charter.
- partly answeredNorthern AffairsHunter Tootoo (Independent) asked Carolyn Bennett (Liberal). substantive question.The answer references a new policy framework but does not confirm fulfillment of the 20-year-old specific commitments on infrastructure and economy.
it is with pride that Canada is working with the Government of Nunavut and all our northern partners to develop and implement the new Arctic and northern policy framework